Apparatus for making tiles from plastic materials



Feb. 4, 1941. R, M FLQRES 2,230,778

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TILES FROM PLASTIC MATERIALS Filed April l2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 42 36 ffl' w l 49 ,L 5/ ,46 60 4g 49 www ,25g/wad XII/aref,

Feb. 4, 1941. R M FLORES 2,230,778

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TILES FROM PLASTIG MATERIALS v 3mm @iw/m7 /Kfhzi Feb. 4, 1941. R. M. FLQRES 2,230,778

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TILES FROM FLATIC MATERIALS Filed April 12, 1940 s sheets-sheet s Patented Feb. r4, 1941 PATENT oFrlcE APPARATUS FOR MAKING TILES .FROM PLASTIC MATERIALS Raymond Flores, Mineral Wells, Tex., assigner of one-half to Teresa K. Ellis, Mineral Wells,

Tex.

Application April 12, 1940, sexismo. 329,362; n emma (c1. 25-105) This invention relates to the production of clay products, such as floor or wall tiles, the primary object of the invention being to provide an apparatus of simple construction and easy operation I and by the use of which tiles 'of uniform size,

' shape and thickness may bev rapidly produced from a'clay slab without the exercise of special skill or knowledge on the part of the operator.

In Patent No. 2,200,270, issued to me under date of May 14, 1940, there is illustrated and described an apparatus byl means of which 'this general object is accomplished, and the present invention relates to improvements upon such apparatus, the adoption of which will improve or 16 facilitate certain operations described in the said patent.

Generally speaking, the present invention includes a die for operation upon a slab oi' ribbon of tile clay, equipped in such manner that after the tile has been shaped and formed by the die, the application of compressed air to the interior of the die head or pocket discharges or releases the formed tile from the die and leaves it in perfeet finished condition upon the conveyor table.

By use of the means hereinafter described, all danger of the clay adhering either to the die or to the compression or printing plate is entirely eliminated, as is also danger of distortion or deformation of the tile in the electing or releasing operations. The invention here involved is applicable to a tile forming machine involving either a single die or a plurality of dies, and is of particular utilityin connection with the formation of tiles of irregular or odd shape as well 5 as with tiles having decorated or ornamental designs in their exposed faces. 4

'I'he invention here involved also includes means of an improved nature whereby the dies may be adjusted to produce tiles of varying o thicknesses. v

The invention will be "best understood with reference to the drawings forming a part of this speciiication, and wherein:

5 Figure 1 is a sectional view taken transversely through a tile table of conventional form and illustrating in association therewith a tile cutter involving the invention,

Figure 2 is a similar view, illustrating in cross 50. section a die of my improved construction in a position ready to form a tile, v

Figure 3 is aview similar to Figure 2 and showing the cutter in lowered position,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 and show- 55 ing a modiiied form of the invention,

ribbon of clay 31.

Figure 5 isla similar view illustrating a further modiicatlon,

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken through a conventional form of table and showing a further modication of the invention, and 5 Figure 7 is a similar view showing the parts i`n changed position.

In the drawings, a suitable table is employedl and upon which ythere is provided a recess or channel between the spaced longitudinal ribs 36 10A thereof to accommodate the traveling slab or This slab may be supported by a conveyor, as indicated at 38 in Figure 1, or may slide within the groove and upon the face of the table, in which event the surface will be 15 lubricated properly with oil to facilitate free traveling movement of the slab.

The cutters or dies hereinafter described in detail are arranged in' any desired manner above the traveling slab and for operation upon the 20 clay at the proper times. In the present instance, the dies are supported upon a frame member 39 capable of vertical reciprocatory movement. The frame is secured at its ends to travelers 40 slidably mounted upon posts 4I rising'from the 25 sides of the table and normally maintained at the limit of its upward movement by expansion springs 42 interposed between the table and the said travelers. The frame member may be moved downwardly into tile cutting position by me-` 30 chanical, hydraulic, electro-magnetic or manual means, and for purposes of convenience in description, a hand lever 43`is shown in the present instance. This lever is pivoted at one end as at 4I to one of the posts 4| and is connected to the 85 frame member 39 by means of the standard 45.

In instances where a plurality of relatively small tiles are to be produced, the frame member 39 will be provided, as shown in Fig'ure 1, with a number of dies embodying the structure herein- 40 after detailed, but it will be understood that but a single die may be connected to the frame member where larger tiles are to be produced. The following is a description of the detailed structure and operation of a single die. 45

The die unit includes a head 46' and an impression plate 46 of a shape and size corresponding to the shape and size of tile to be produced, also a cutting edge or flange depending from the edges of the head. In instances where smooth or undecorat'ed tiles are to be produced, the operative or printing face of the plate 46 will present a smooth unbroken surface, otherwise the operative surface of the head will be provided' with ribs or projections 48 corresponding to the design 55 to appear on the nished tile. The depending cutter member 41 will be of a depth corresponding to the thickness of the slab to be operated upon, and the edges of the cutter element will be rounded, as shown, in order to eliminate sharp edges upon the finished tile.

'I'he plate 46 and head 46 are maintained in slightly spaced parallel relation by screws 49 and a gasket 50, the latter serving to hermetically seal the joining edges of the said plate and head. The space 5| between the plate 46 and the head 46 constitutes an air chamber and may be supplied with air under pressure through a pipe or tube 52 carried by the frame 39. It will be understood that this tube may be supplied with air under the desired or required pressure from a suitable source, not shown. The plate 46 is provided with a. plurality of ports 53 which establish communication between the air chamber 5I and the pocket formed in the die face between the plate 46 and the cutting flange 41.

In Figure 4 of the drawings, there ls shown a slightly modified form of die and wherein means are disclosed for adapting the die to slabs of tile clay varying in thickness. In the said ligure the cutting ilange 41 is elongated, and is removably secured by means of screws 54 to the head 46. A. compressing or printing plate 55 is adjustably arranged within the pocket of the die and this plate may have its impression face decorated or not as desired. 'Ihe said plate iits snugly but slidably within the pocket and is threadedly engaged by the lower ends of posts 56 which extend through the head 46' and the frame member 39. The upper ends of these posts are engaged by nuts 51 to bear against lock washers 58 on the upper side of the frame members 39. Each stem also passes through a packinggland 59 on the underface of the head 46' to prevent the escape of air from the chamber 5| between the said head and the printing or impression plate. It will be understood that air under the desired or proper pressure will be supplied to this chamber through the pipe or tube 52.

.If it is desired to use the device of this form of the invention without the impression or printing plate 55, the said plate may be eliminated and the stem openings plugged with screws as indicated at 60 in Figure 5.

In operation, the table bed is properly lubricated with oil and a slab of tile clay of proper consistency and thickness is moved thereon beneath the elevatedA die. When the die descends the cutting edge passes through the slab and the upper surface of the latter is brought into intimate contact with the underface of the impression plate. Air which may have been trapped within the pocket will escape through the ports and into the air chamber 5I. Simultaneously with release of the supporting frame 39, pressure will be admitted, by suitable valve mechanism not shown, to the chamber 5I, which pressure,

passing through the ports 53, will separate the tile from the die and leave it deposited in perfect condition upon the table. Any tendency of the clay to adhere to the cutting edge 41 in that form of the invention shown in Figure 5 will be resisted by the presence of air under pressure in the chamber or pocket.

In that form of the invention shown in Figure 4, the printing or impression plate 55 may be accurately adjusted to produce, within reasonable limits, tiles of various thicknesses.

In Figures 6 and '7 of the drawings there is shown a modiiication of tile cutter winch embodies means whereby ready access may be had to the under or cutting face of the die to permit of inspection, cleaning or repair of the cutting elements or the parts associated therewith. In this form of the invention, the cutter carrying frame is mounted so as to be capable of being swung entirely clear of the table top, to such a position as will completely expose to view and access the under or operative face of the dies.

The table has a support or standard 62 rising from the rear part thereof and to which is pivoted a lever 63 disposed transversely of the table. A post 65 rising from the central portion of cutter frame 39 is pivoted as at 64 to an intermediate part 'of said lever. 'I'he cutter frame has its ends extended beyond the edges of the clay slab as shown and sleeve legs 66 are rigidly secured to such ends. These sleeves are disposed at sub*- stantially right angles to the frame 39 and carry yieldable supporting feet 61. These feet llt snugly within their respective sleeves and each carries a rod 68 extending through the upper closed end of the sleeve 66 and threadedly receives the adjusting nuts 69 disposed exteriorly of the sleeves 66. An expansion spring 10 is arranged within each sleeve and. is disposed between the upper closed end thereof and the sliding feet 61, to normally hold the said feet at the limit of their downward movement. The degree of projection of the feet 61 is accurately governed by the adjusting'nuts 69.

Springs 1I connect the lever 63 with the frame 39 so as to normally maintain the frame in proper balanced position with respect to' the clay slab disposed upon the table.

It will be observed that in normal position the frame and the dies associated therewith will be disposed in operative position directly above the clay slab, with the feet 61 resting upon the table surface. The springs 1| will be so arranged that when the lever 63 is brought to lowered or operative position, the feet 61 will all strike the table at substantially the same time. The springs 10 'will hold the frame and its cutter elements in proper elevated position above the slab. Downward movement applied to the lever 63 will cause the cutters to be brought into contact with the clay slab to cut tiles therefrom, and upon release of the said lever the springs 10 will immediately operate to lift the frame, the dies and the lever above the level of the clay slab. It will be understood that the dies carried by the frame member 39 will be equipped with means for ejecting the formed clay from the die faces. Should it he desired to have access to the under side of the frame or the die faces for the purposes of inspection, cleaning or repair, it is but necessary to rock the lever 63 upwardly and rearwardly to substantially vertical position, whereupon the entire under face of the frame and the die elements are exposed to access for such purposes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is:

1. A cutting unit for tile forming. Comprising a head, a cutting flange depending from said head and forming a pocket therewith, a compressing plate in said pocket, said head having an air chamber, and said plate having openings therein communicating with said chamber.

2. A cutting unit for tile forming, comprising a head, a cutting flange depending from the periphery of said head and forming a pocket therewith, a compressing plat e adjustably mounted in said pocket, said head having an head and forming a pocket therewith, a com-l pressing plate in said pocket adjustable toward or away from said head, said head having an air chamber, said plate having ports passing through the same and in communication with said chamber, and means for adjusting said plate.

4. A cutting unit for tile forming, comprising a head, a cutting iiange depending from the periphery of said head and forming a pocket therewith, a compression plate in said pocket, screws threaded in said head and engaged in said plate for adjusting the plate relative to said head, said plate having ports passing entirely therethrough, and means to supply air under pressure to the space between said head and said plate.

5. A cutting unit for tile forming, comprising a head, a cutting ilange depending from said head and forming a pocket therewith, a. compression plate in said pocket, threaded stemsprojecting from said plate and through said head, nuts engaged with said threaded stems and bearing upon said head, the space between said plate and said head constituting an air chamber, and said plate having ports passing entirely therethrough.

6. In a cutting unit for tile forming, a table adapted to support a slab of tile clay, a frame, legs depending from said frame, feet slidably connected to said legs and resting upon said table, springs interposed between said feet and said legs, means for varying the tension of said springs, a lever pivoted to said table and overlying said frame, and a pivot member connecting said frame with said lever.

7. In a cutting unit for tile forming, a table adapted to support a slab of tile clay, a frame, legs depending from said frame, feet slidably connected to said legs and resting upon said table, springs interposed between said feet and said legs, means for varying the tension of said springs, a lever pivoted to said table and overlying said i'rame, and a pivot member connecting said frame to said lever intermediate the ends of said frame, and equalizing springs interposed between said frame and said lever.

8. In a cutting unit for tile forming, a table adapted to support a slab of tile clay, a lever hinged adjacent one edge oi said table and adapted to extend across the same, a frame connected to said lever and adapted to overlie said slab, feet carried by said frame and adapted to yieldably engage said table, and a die carried by said frame.

9. In a cutting unit for tile forming, a table adapted to support a slab of tile clay, a frame disposed above said slab, a die on said frame adapted to operate upon said slab, and feet yieldably carried by said frame and adapted to engage said table.

10. In a cutting unit for tile forming, a table adapted to support a slab of tile clay, a frame disposed above said table and over said slab, a die on said frame to engage said slab, sleeves secured to said frame, said sleeves having open ends disposed towards said table, feet slidable in said sleeves, springs within said sleeves normally maintaining said feet in projected position, and means for adjusting said feet within said sleeves.

11. In a cutting unit for tile forming, a table adapted to support a slab of tile clay, a post rising from one side of said table, a lever hinged at one end to said post and adapted to swing transversely of said table, a frame hinged intermediate its ends to said lever in a position to normally overlie said slab, a die on said frame to operate upon said slab, sleeves at the ends of said frame, said slabs having open ends and normally disposed with their axes at right angles to said table, feet slidable within said sleeves, each foot having a rod extending axially through an end of a sleeve, a nut threaded upon the extending end of each rod, an expansion spring exerting pressure upon its respective foot, and equalizing springs interposed between said lever and said frame.

RAYMOND M. FLORES. 

